Hi, my name is Ladywheels1969! Motability say I have to be working, what can I do?

Ladywheels1969

Hello and thank you for letting me join your community, I am hoping to find lots of useful information. I am a lifetime and full-time wheelchair user. I am totally independent, however now I am getting older (55) I am finding it more difficult to access things and remain the independent lady that I have always been!

I have been with movability for over 30 years now, and without their service and help with grants to enable a WAV vehicle I wouldn't be as independent as I have been. However my vehicle is now up for renewal and they are saying because I don't work that I may not be able to get a grant to drive from wheelchair, and asking if someone else can drive for me, I feel so upset about this, I don't know what I will do if I am no longer able to drive myself, I live in quite a rural area I have regular hospital appointments to attend and my family live all over the country, which I go and see them often. Motability said if I was a volunteer then there is a possibility that I may be accepted, but only if the volunteer work was going out and not at home. They have also told me they would check that I would be going to the volunteering place that I put on the form and would need evidence of this. They put a tracker in your vehicle so I am aware they can track my every move, I don't have an issue of them tracking me, but unfortunately I don't volunteer and I am not sure what I should do. I have considered volunteering before but I am very nervous about being around people I don't know.

I feel sick about all of this and my anxiety has shot through the roof. I have some serious health conditions along side of my Disability that I have had all my life being a paraplegic. This has not helped my health as my blood pressure has gone up since receiving this information.

Any advice or help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thank you

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Ladywheels1969, welcome to the community. I'm really sorry you're in this situation, it's totally understandable that it's left you feeling upset and anxious.

I'm afraid I don't have much experience of Motability, but I hope some of our lovely members might be able to offer some advice. I've popped your post into our transport category where more people can find it. But I just wanted to say hello and welcome you anyway.

I hope you find a way forward soon.

poppy123456

To be clear are you referring to the motability scheme? If so then it doesn't make sense that you have to be working to receive a grant towards a vehicle. The grants are means tested so there would be less chance of receiving financial help if you actually work. Please see link.

https://www.motability.co.uk/get-support/faqs/can-i-apply-for--financial-help/

Ladywheels1969

Hey thanks for your comment, apparently due to lack of funding this is how they are now looking at applications. I have been with Motability for over 35 years now plus the time my mum and dad were getting a car from them for me as a child. This is the first time I have had such a bad experience, I was told the application for wav vehicles is becoming more difficult but without being able to drive independently is taking away so much from me.